Two factors often determine stock prices in the long run: earnings and interest rates. Investors can't control the latter, but they can focus on a company's earnings results every quarter.

Life and the stock market are both about expectations, and rising above what is expected is often rewarded, while falling short can come with negative consequences. Investors might want to try to capture stronger returns by finding positive earnings surprises.

Now that we know how important earnings and earnings surprises are, it's time to show investors how to take advantage of these events to boost their returns by utilizing the Zacks Earnings ESP filter.

The Zacks Earnings ESP, Explained

The Zacks Earnings ESP is more formally known as the Expected Surprise Prediction, and it aims to grab the inside track on the latest analyst estimate revisions ahead of a company's report. The idea is relatively intuitive as a newer projection might be based on more complete information.

With this in mind, the Expected Surprise Prediction compares the Most Accurate Estimate (being the most recent) against the overall Zacks Consensus Estimate. The percentage difference provides the ESP figure. The system also utilizes our core Zacks Rank to provide a stronger system for identifying stocks that might beat their next quarterly earnings estimate and possibly see the stock price climb.

In fact, when we combined a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) or better and a positive Earnings ESP, stocks produced a positive surprise 70% of the time. Perhaps most importantly, using these parameters has helped produce 28.3% annual returns on average, according to our 10 year backtest.

Most stocks, about 60%, fall into the #3 (Hold) category, and they are expected to perform in-line with the broader market. Stocks with a #2 (Buy) and #1 (Strong Buy) rating, or the top 15% and top 5% of stocks, respectively, should outperform the market, with Strong Buy stocks outperforming more than any other rank.

Should You Consider Catalyst Pharmaceutical?

The final step today is to look at a stock that meets our ESP qualifications. Catalyst Pharmaceutical (CPRX Quick QuoteCPRX - Free Report) earns a #2 (Buy) seven days from its next quarterly earnings release on May 11, 2026, and its Most Accurate Estimate comes in at $0.69 a share.

By taking the percentage difference between the $0.69 Most Accurate Estimate and the $0.64 Zacks Consensus Estimate, Catalyst Pharmaceutical has an Earnings ESP of +7.81%. Investors should also know that CPRX is one of a large group of stocks with positive ESPs. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.

CPRX is just one of a large group of Medical stocks with a positive ESP figure. Idexx Laboratories (IDXX Quick QuoteIDXX - Free Report) is another qualifying stock you may want to consider.

Slated to report earnings on May 5, 2026, Idexx Laboratories holds a #3 (Hold) ranking on the Zacks Rank, and its Most Accurate Estimate is $3.45 a share one day from its next quarterly update.

For Idexx Laboratories, the percentage difference between its Most Accurate Estimate and its Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.42 is +0.77%.

CPRX and IDXX's positive ESP figures tell us that both stocks have a good chance at beating analyst expectations in their next earnings report.

Find Stocks to Buy or Sell Before They're Reported

Use the Zacks Earnings ESP Filter to turn up stocks with the highest probability of positively, or negatively, surprising to buy or sell before they're reported for profitable earnings season trading. Check it out here >>